The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-31

then" she said, rising blushing dim
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe-begone counte-
nance that had greeted him when he
come.
DIR. Varney's handsome thoroughbreds
were at the door of the shabby little
cottage where Laura boarded punctual-
ly at six the following morning, and she
was waiting for him.
The prescription seemed to be work
ing wonders already. for certainly there
was no lack of roses in her bright face
that morning.
What pleasant drive it was, out Of
the smoke and dust of the noisy town,
into the cool sweetness of the country,
where the apple-trees were scattering
their perfumed blossoms in snowy
showers at every breath OF wind, and
the birds were singing joyful greeting
to the newborn day
To Laura it was like going back to
the brightest days of her life, only with
an added sweetness that even those had
| not possessed.
They were driving slowly back, and
Laura was trying to conquer a rebel
lious distaste for the dull little office,
when, rs they passed large mansion on
the outskirts of the town, DIR, Varney
said abruptly
do you know Kate Howard, Laura?"
"I know who she is. A cat may look
at the queen, you know, Her father
owns the iron mills, and they live in the
beautiful house we just passed"
"What do you think of her?"
L think she is one tho most beauti-
full ladies / have ever seen, and l i'm
agine, one OF the proudest. Why do you
ask You seem to be interested in her.
II am. The truth is," he said, look
ing straight ahead Of him, and speaking
fast, "the medical convention is not
the only business that brought mo to
Kingston. l have thought seriously of
asking Kate Howard to be my wife.
l met her last summer at Long Branch,
and again in the winter, and | do not
think she will say no."
There was moments silence rs
the girl struggled with the sudden
feeling of pain and desolation that
that came over her, and strove to say
tho kindly commonplace words that
were expected of her.
And then he went on:
at may seem odd that ] should tell
you this, Laura, even before | have
spoken to her, but we have been almost
brother and sister, and / would like to
have God-speed from you before | make
the plunge"
"You have it, Frank" she said brave
ly MAY You win the woman you love
and every good gift that life can giveP
But the delicate beautiful face was
very white, when he ifted'her down at
the door of the station, and her eyes
did not meet his. when. she babe him
goodbye And in DR.. varney's heart,
as he drove away, there was curious
dissatisfied feeling that he could neither
analyZe nor account for
Ii was not quite dissipated when he
sat that evening on the pleasant piazza
Of Mr.. Towards house, with the scent
ed breath Of acacia and rose coming up
from the garden, and Kate, looking very
beautiful in her cool white muslin by
his side And his thoughts would wan
der to little figure in simple gingham
dress, and delicate pale face set in
frame Of soft brown hair.
kate" he said at length, "have you
ever noticed the little girl in the tele-
graph Office down at the station ?"
"What question !" said Miss How
ard, arching her brows in some sur
prise. "Of course / know there is
young person employed there In that
capacity, equally of course, that is all l
know about her
But DIR. Varney, honest fellow, never
knew when he was snubbed, and blum
dered on:
II discovered in her yesterday the
oldest friend have. They lived close
to us until few years ago, and Laura
and i were almost brother and sister.
had quite lost sight of her until met
her yesterday.
"That is very nice, but / don't see
how it concerns me, said Miss Howard
coldly.
"She is quite alone in the world,
Kate, and thought if you would call
upon her and be friendly with her it
would make her life so much more
pleasant"
II call upon that girl? You must be
dreaming, doctor?"
why not? Sheis true lady, and
it would be an act of charity, Kate
perhaps your standard of what con-
stitutes lady differ" was the naughty
response. "At all events l have no de-
sire to add to the list Of my acquain-
tances at present, and so must decline
the honor you propose to do me?o
After cold goodnight DR.. Varney
took his leave. feeling hurt and angry,